Fear of Falling

For some mysterious reason, a common affliction amongst Architects is a fear of heights. Have you ever seen the guy with the shaky knees on the staging around a tall facade repair? Well, that's likely to be your Architect. Me? No such fear!

I appear, though, to have a variation - fear of falling. I can stand at the edge of a precipice unperturbed; but if the guardrail is loose or the walk across the open joists is unprotected, you may find me holding on for dear life.

So, there I was yesterday, along with over 7 million others watching the live video of Felix Baumgartner as he stepped off from his balloon capsule more than 24 miles above the desert floor of New Mexico. As a youngster, I fell from my just-finished tree house, breaking my wrist. Maybe that's when my fear was implanted. Baumgartner, on the other hand, clearly has no hesitation. Or, does he?

Maybe, when the downside consequence is instant death, the trepidation is different than fearing broken body parts. One thing I do know is that I have no intention of finding out.

Roof inspection? Have you finished the parapet yet? Yes? OK fine, I'm on my way. No? Please call Felix.